Mary - Mother of God

Today is first day of May - a month traditionally dedicated to Mary, Mother of God. It is a time to honour Mary, and to ask her intercession for special favours. Make an effort to pray the "Hail Mary" more this month... and watch this video reflection to find out why this prayer is so important.

On March 25—the feast of the Annunciation, which has been a national holiday in Lebanon since 2010—Catholics and Muslims joined in the 8th Islamic-Christian Prayer Meeting, which was dedicated to the theme: “Together around Mary, Our Lady.”

Happy Feast Day of the Annunciation - the day that the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she was to conceive Jesus. Today is very much a feast centred on three key aspects - firstly Our Lord Jesus, secondly Our Lady, and thirdly, each one of us. Bishop Peter Comensoli, Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney, reflects on this very special feast day in today's podcast.

On February 11, 1858, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes. This began a series of visions. During the apparition on March 25, the lady identified herself with the words: “I am the Immaculate Conception.” Lourdes has become a place of pilgrimage and healing, but even more of faith. Church authorities have recognized over 60 miraculous cures, and the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes on 11 February, is now known as "World Day of the Sick". Here is the Pope's message for this year:

Pope Francis has sent a Message to the Americas to mark the Dec. 12th Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, who is venerated as Patroness of the American continent. The Holy Father delivered the Message during the course of his weekly General Audience on Wednesday, the eve of the feast...

On a day dedicated to celebrating the solemn feast of Mary’s conception without sin, Pope Francis made a special trip in Rome to pray before a traditional statue of Mary, which has the title of “Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.”

According to ancient tradition, when the Blessed Virgin Mary was a little girl, her parents presented her to God. Today's feast day reminds us that God prepared Mary in every possible way to be the Mother of His Son. Watch this video reflection to learn more!